If you're interested in learning more before registering, one of our Account Managers can give you a complete walk-through of the process and answer any remaining questions. Please book a time at your convenience. Or if you're ready to register for a free account and get started with online auctions, fill out the contact form below.

Note: This is the registration form for storage facilities, not for bidding on auctions. If you want to bid on auctions, please use the buyer signup form

STORAGE FACILITY SIGNUP FORM

Username *

Pick a username that is easy to remember. This is not visible to the public and only used for login purposes.

Email Address *

This will be the master account email. This email is not displayed to the public and is only used for notifications and support staff communication. You will have a chance later to select a different email address that will be associated with your facility and visible to the public.

Storage Company *

Please enter the name of your storage company. This does not appear to the public and is only used for administrative purposes, you can set a company name at the facility level on the next step.

Password *

Please choose a password that is secure. We strongly encourage the use of strong, automatically generated passwords, with tools such as LastPass or similar.

Questions about how Bid13 works?

Question:

How do I host an auction on Bid13.com?

Answer:

Bid13.com is a storage auction tool that helps you clear out your delinquent or abandoned units with ease. You simply register for a free account entering your email address and basic facility information. From there you can post auctions as needed by uploading a 45-60 second video of the unit contents and setting the timeframe. Bid13 takes it from there by editing the video, creating the auction page, marketing the units in your local area and coordinating the winning buyer’s pickup so you have an empty, tenable unit as soon as possible!

Question:

I don't have a video camera, how should I film the unit contents?

Answer:

If you don’t have a video camera, the easiest way to film your units is by using your smartphone or tablet. For your convenience, you can upload directly through Bid13’s mobile optimized website.

To upload a new auction on a mobile browser:
1. Login to Bid13 with your account username and password.
2. Click on the small gear logo on the top right
3. Enter basic auction information (unit size, unit number, timeline, etc.)
4. Select the video from your phone’s camera roll.
5. Click “Save” and you’re done!

Question:

Can I set a reserve bid?

Answer:

Yes! Just like a traditional on-site auction, we can set a starting price that reflects the value of the unit to make sure you're satisfied with the results.

Question:

Is there a cleaning deposit?

Answer:

Yes! Bid13 sets a default cleaning deposit of $200. We've found that a higher deposit fee discourages less reputable buyers from bidding. It also protects you from dealing with leftover junk. If you prefer a different amount for your facilities cleaning deposit, we can adjust the account to suit your preferences.

Question:

Does the buyer pay sales tax?

Answer:

The buyer pays sales tax according to the state laws.

Question:

How long can I post an auction for?

Answer:

The time is completely up to you and your collections process. Most facilities will line up the posting times with the last 7-14 days of the lien requirements.

Question:

What happens after the online auction ends?

Answer:

The sale is complete once the auction timer reaches zero. You will then receive an email notification that includes: a link of the unit, the final price, the winning buyer's contact information, a confirmation code, and the complete bidding history. The winning bidder will receive an email notification with the facility contact information, the same confirmation code and the final price. They will contact you within 24 hours to arrange the pickup/payment.

Question:

How long will it take for the winning bidder to pick up the unit?

Answer:

The winning bidder is required to pick up the unit within 72 hours of the auction ending. If you would like to give them more time, you're welcome to make those arrangements with the buyer.

Question:

Why don't you film the cutting of the lock?

Answer:

We do encourage our vendors to film the unit at the time the original lock was removed, but this is not always possible, depending on the laws of that state or province.
Long answer: We agree, it would be amazing if all unit videos could include the cutting of the lock, but the reality is that the timing doesn't always work out. When a storage tenant is in arrears, the storage facility will immediately remove their lock, and replace it with their lock. The Relocking is to prevent the tenant from arriving in the middle of the night and collecting their belongings without paying their overdue balance to the facility. When the facility does this, the unit is in an earlier start in the lien process and is not yet ready to be auctioned off. The tenant usually has several more weeks to come in and pay their outstanding balance. The exact amount of time and the specifics of these rules depend on provincial or state lien laws and are not always the same from state to state. When the unit is finally ready to be auctioned off, the facility will go out to the unit and film the unit and post the video on our website. The security of the unit is why you may see facility operators opening the unit with their key in our videos. This does not imply the facility operator has altered the contents of the unit in any way, it is just the nature of their business, and how they must operate to stay within the laws of their state.

Question:

What happens if I win?

Answer:

If you win an auction, you will receive an email confirmation instructing you to:
Log in to your Bid13 account.
Click on the My Auctions link (at the bottom of the page)
In the 'Auctions Won' section locate the auction you just won.
Click ‘Check Out’ and proceed through the checkout steps to pay your 15% buyers fee.
After your payment has been processed, you will receive an email with a confirmation number and directions to the storage facility.
Bring your confirmation number to the storage facility to purchase your unit.
Note: Once you arrive at the facility the full unit price must be paid, plus a $200 cash deposit for units under 10x25 and $500 for those that are larger. The deposit will be returned to you once the unit has been emptied and cleaned. You will have three days to empty the unit. Should you have any questions, please contact us.

Question:

How does Bid13 make money if we don't pay any fees?

Answer:

Bid13 charges a 15% facilitation fee to the buyer, on top of the final price. The facilitation fee is charged directly to the bidders registered credit card, so you don't have to collect on our behalf.

Question:

What happens if the winning buyer never shows up?

Answer:

If the winning buyer doesn't show up within the 72 hours, give us a call immediately at 1-844-348-2776. The defaulting buyer will be banned from Bid13. We will offer you the following options on how to proceed:
1. We can offer to the second highest bidder. If they accept, we will provide new confirmation emails.
2. We can relist the unit for auction with a shorter timeline to find a new buyer as soon as possible.

Question:

What happens if my tenant pays their bill after I post an auction?

Answer:

If the tenant pays their bill during the online auction, you can simply log into your Bid13 account. Click the "Current Auctions" tab. You’ll see a "Cancel Auction" button right beside the unit(s). After clicking the "Cancel Auction" button will immediately cancel the auction and also notify the people that were bidding on that unit so that they can focus on the other active units at the facility.

Question:

How does Bid13 market the auctions locally?

Answer:

Bid13 will advertise the auction on your behalf through our automated newsletter, paid online/offline ads and through social media. Each area is different, so if you are aware of a popular local classified option, let us know, and we'll give it a try!

Question:

I still have questions, how can I get help?

Answer:

Please call our support number: 1-844-348-2776.
If we don’t pick up, please leave a voicemail and we will respond ASAP. We can also be reached by email at: support@bid13.com.